Apparatus for filing



April 19, 1955 D. l.. KURTZ 2,706,579

APPARATUS FOR FILING April 19, 1955 D L KURTZ 2,706,579

APPARATUS FOR FILING Filed Jan. 17, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

APPARATUS FR BLING Uorothy L. Kurtz, Tenatly, N. J. Application January 17, 1951, Serial No. 265,373 3 Claims. (Si. 221266) This invention relates to filling apparatus, particularly of the type adapted for use in iing or storing correspondence, data sheets and similar material, so that they are readily accessible for reference and removal.

In oiiices or other establishments where correspondence, and record or data sheets of various descriptions are preserved individually or in iile folders and are referred to from time to time, ling cabinets or other similar depositories are generally used. The standard type of tiling cabinet has several tiers of drawers. The. records contained in the cabinets are not accessible until the drawers are pulled out. Such cabinets are inconvenient when records are required from several of the cabinet drawers, because the person seeking the records must pull out and push in each drawer in order to obtain them. These operations are time-consuming and may also be physically exhausting when a person such as a le clerk must frequently obtain and return material to the iiles. Olicf procedure in obtaining records is, therefore, retar e In addition to the above-noted inconvenience, and loss of time and elort, another serious defect of the standard tiling cabinet is that in order to have access to it, suilicient room must be provided in front of the cabinet to permit the pulling out of the drawers so that records or liles kept in the cabinet may be reached. In. view of the fact that the file drawers extend the entire depth of the tiling cabinet, it must be possible to withdraw them an equal length to have access to tiles positioned at the rear of the drawers. In other words, such ling cabinets must have at least double the space that they normally occupy in the closed position in order to operate them effectively. In addition to the space needed for the full utilization of the filing cabinet, space must also be provided for the operator. Therefore, as will be appreciated by anyone who has observed a large file room, aisles must be provided in front of each bank of filing cabinets, suiciently wide to accommodate the extended le drawers and the operator. In view of the fact that the standard cabinet is over 26 deep and a drawer when fully withdrawn extends approximately 24 farther, and assuming that the operator stands to the side of the drawer so that no space is provided for his body in front of the drawer when fully extended, some room must be provided for the operators hand and arm in pulling the drawer outwardly. About another l" is desirable so that approximately 3 are needed in front of the bank of tiling cabinets to provide for the minimum utilization of the tiling cabinets and this is without any provision of a passageway when the drawer or drawers are in the outward position. The continual blocking of the aisles with the extended tiling drawers is a serious safety hazard because of the obstruction of the means of escape in the event of lire or other emergency. It is also a continuous inconvenience in the transacting of normal business if use of the aisle as a passageway must be made during periods when records are being obtained and being returned to the filing cabinets.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a tiling apparatus in which there is a minimum of projection by the filing apparatus into the space in front of the apparatus when reference is made to records contained therein.

A further object of the invention is to provide a filing device in which it is not necessary to Withdraw and return heavy filing containers in order to obtain material led therein.

2,795,579 Patented Apr. 19, :w55

'ice

Another object of the invention is to provide a tiling apparatus which may be operated with greater etliciency in substantially less space, by making it possible for the file operator to view and reach a greater number of tiers 0f tile elements than is possible in the standard filing cabinet.

A still further object is to provide a tiling apparatus which does not block aisles or provide obstructions which may cause injuries.

The present invention includes a filing apparatus adapted to contain lile elements and may be comprised of at least one floor portion such as a shelf adapted to receive tile elements in vertical position. A trackway runs parallel to the lateral extension of the floor portion with a divider element slidably mounted on the trackway and disposed vertically and transversely to the lateral extension of the door portion. A subject spacer or `guide pull element is adapted to be vertically and removably positioned parallel to and spaced from said divider element. File elements of a particular class or subject are disposed between the divider and guide pull along the transverse extension of the oor portion in a row or iile; a tiexible ribbon is provided, one end of which is attached to the guide pull adjacent one side of the row or file, and the ribbon is also releasably attached to the divider adjacent the other side of the row or tile. The ribbon between the two points of attachment is vertically disposed and extends along the rst mentioned side of the le, and thence along the face of the divider element which contacts the lile elements. With such an arrangement, le elements may be removed from the said `tile by pulling the guide pull out of the line of the tile on the side remote from the side along which the ribbon extends.

For a more complete description, reference is now made to the drawings which form a part of this application and wherein:

Fig. l is a plan view of several units of tiling apparatus embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation illustrating arrangements of several units of the filing apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a side view, with parts in section, taken along the line 3-3 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is another side View, with parts in section, with the lile units in withdrawn position; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a single tiling unit with the trackway for the divider element removed.

Referring to the drawings, the filing apparatus may be made up of a plurality of units 10. The units may be arranged on suitable floor portions 11, such as shelves, whichV are sufficiently wide and deep to receive the le elements 12 to be stored thereon and Vhaving suiicient length to receive a series of file units 10 in a row or tile, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

The shelves 1.1, which serve as the floor portions for the file units 10 may be arranged in tiers, as shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4, the shelves being spaced apart sufficiently to receive the elements 12 in the vertical position. The shelves may be supported in any suitable manner, such as by spaced vertical members of the type employed in standard book shelves, or by providing shelves being fixed or removably positioned between vertical end members, the shelves and end members forming units which may be used separately or in conjunction with similar units. However, for the purposes of illustration, the shelves 11 are shown as supported by brackets 1E (see Figs. 3 and 4), which extend outwardly from a wall or similar vertical support 15.

Each ling unit l@ includes a divider element 16, a subject spacer or guide pull 17, and a ribbon 18 attached to said elements 16 and 17.

The divider element 16 may be a hat, relatively thin member which is suitably rigid. It may be made of metal, Wood, heavy pasteboard or other material having the desired characteristics. lt has been found that dividers made of thin sheet metal are well adapted for the purpose. The dividers 16 are vertically disposed transverse to the length of the shelves 11 with which they are associated. They may be permanently xed in position or may be removable or be mounted for adjustment along the length of the shelves 11. In the form shown, the dividers are adjustable laterally, i. e. along the length of the shelves, by providing key-ways 20 on the underside of the shelves above. The dividers 16 are suitably attached as by welding to blocks or keys 21 slidably disposed in the key ways 26.

The dividers 16 extend downwardly from the key-ways 2l) and tend to lock or bind in the position in which they are placed because of the lateral pressure against their sides by the le elements 12 near their lower ends 22. ln order to adjust a divider 16 laterally the pressure against its sides near the lower ends 22 is relieved, and, by pressing the divider near the end adjacent the key 21, the divider may be moved laterally in the desired direction.

The subject spacers or guide pulls 17 are also adapted to be positioned vertically with respect to the shelves 11 and transversely to the length or lateral extension of said shelves. However, the guide pulls are supported upon the shelves and are adapted to be removable therefrom in a direction at right angles to the faces 23 of the shelves. The guide pulls 17 may be thin, relatively rigid members composed of cardboard, metal, or other suitable material.

The ribbon 18 forming a part of each unit, is of suitable ilexible material such as fabric, heavy paper, or thin metal, and has a substantial width which may vary from less than one inch to a width equal to the height of the guide pulls 17 or the le elements 12. ln the form shown, a ribbon of about 3 inches width is employed.

One end of the ribbon 1S is attached adjacent the edge 25 to the guide pull 17 at a point slightly above the ioor 11. The attachment may be of a fairly permanent type and, as shown, the ribbon is securely anchored to the guide pull 17 by means of rivets 26.

`File elements 12 of a particular class or subject are disposed in a row or file along the length of a portion pf the shelf adjacent the face thereof, the elements being in vertical array, transversely disposed to the length of the shelf and parallel to and between a guide pull 17 and a divider 16, which serve to segregate each group of elements from others on the shelf.

The ribbon 18, with its width vertically disposed, extends along the side 27 of the le or row of elements 12. The ribbon passes around the edge 28 of the le element adjoining the divider 16, and thereafter the ribbon passes across the face of the divider in contact with said ile element.

The divider 16 may be provided with means leasably attaching the ribbon thereto at various points on the length of the ribbon. The releasable attachment means illustrated in the drawings comprises vertical slots 50 and 31 of suiiicient length and width to receive the ribbon. In order to attach the ribbon 1S to the divider 16, the ribbon is passed outwardly, i. e. away from the file unit 1), through slot 30 and passed in through slot 31, the end 32 of the ribbon being drawn along the inner face 33 of the divider 16 between said face and the portion 35 of the ribbon across the face. By means of the pressure of the file elements against the two portions of the ribbon extending across the inner face 33 of the divider 16, the ribbon is frictionally maintained in attachment with the divider 16. In the event that suflicient pressure is not exerted by the file elements 12 to maintain the ribbon in the slots 30 and 31, a simple clinching element such as a paper clip will maintain the ribbon against the faces of the divider adjacent slot 30, and prevent it from slipping. It will be appreciated that the described releasable attachment means is merely illustrative and that any suitable means may be used, such as a belt, or, web clinching device.

A third vertical slot 36 may be provided, as shown in the drawings, through which the end 32 of the ribbon may be drawn so that it will be accessible on the outer face of the divider element 16 for easier adjustment.

It will be appreciated that at the ends of the shelves suitable slots similar to the slots Sil and 31 may be provided in such vertical members which serve to divide the tiers of shelves into units.

ln operation the divider 16, guide pull 17 and ribbon 1S are arranged on a shelf 11 as shown in the drawings with the divider and guide pull in parallel spaced relationship. File elements 12 of a predetermined numerical or alphabetical class or subject are placed on the shelf in a file between the divider 16 and the guide pull 1'7 with the ribbon extending along one side, such as 27', of the le of elements. The guide pull 17 is moved toward for redivider 16 until the group of le elements are closely engaged by the elements 16 and 17. Thereafter, the end 32 of ribbon may be drawn out through slot 36 until the ribbon is reasonably taut as it extends along the side 27 of the file elements. The position of the tile unit 1G, as thus arranged, is illustrated in Fig. l by the units designated a and b.

The guide pulls 17 are provided with tabs 37 or other suitable means, which project from the front edges 38 of the guides so that they are easily visible beyond the front side iii of the le of elements. Each tab 37 may be provided with indicia 41 to designate the class or subject of the group of lle elements 12 contained in the unit itl of which the guide pull 17 is a part.

ln order to obtain an individual file element 12 from the filing apparatus of this invention, the operator refers to the indicia on the tabs of the several guide pulls. When the guide for the group in which the desired element is found the operator draws the guide pull outward from the file of the group in a direction at right angles to the face 23 of the shelf to the position shown at c in Fig. l, and as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. As the guide pull is drawn outward, the ribbon 18 extending along the side 27 of the le of elements is also drawn outward and pushes the elements 12 away from the wall 15 so that their edges adjacent the side 4t) of the file extend over the front or face 23 of the shelf 11. By reference to indicia adjacent the margin of the several elements 12 in the withdrawn group, the operator is readily able to find the desired le element, which may thereafter be withdrawn, rhe tile elements 12 have a tendency to fan outward, as best shown in Fig. l, those adjacent the guide pull 17 extending outward further than those adjacent the divider 16 so that marginal indicia on the individual file elements is easily visible.

After the desired element has been removed the remaining elements may be returned to their position on the shelf by pushing gently against the side 4) of the group of elements. As the elements 12 are pushed back toward the wall 15 the ribbon 18 and guide pull 17 are also returned to their original positions on the shelf.

A series of card or memoranda receptacles such as the ilat pockets 42 may be provided on the outer faces of the guide pulls 17 to receive memoranda slips or cards indicating which file elements have been removed from a particular group and what disposition was made of the removed file elements.

lf the removal of the file element from the group has left a substantial gap and the element is not to be returned for some time, it may be desirable to adjust the length of the ribbon to close the gap. This may be accomplished by drawing the end 32 of the ribbon 18 further out of slot 3d while the guide pull 17 is pushed toward the divider 16, thereby closing the gap.

From the foregoing description, it will be appreciated that the filing apparatus of this invention achieves all of the objects set forth above and that it can be speedily and efficiently used. lt is no longer necessary to withdraw and return bulky and heavy metal ling drawers containing many files in order to obtain one particular file.

Furthermore, the space requirements of the apparatus of this invention are substantially less than those necessary when filing cabinets are used. No extra space need be provided to receive the extended drawers of the filing cabinets because the only extension into the aisle will be the edges of the file elements themselves as the operator withdraws the guide pull elements in order'to view the sides of the file elements to determine which one is desired. ln this regard it will be noted that a file operator using the standard type le cabinet must view the file indicia contained in the drawers from above the le elements led in each drawer and must lift the file elements upward to remove them from the drawer. These factors limit the number of tiers of drawers that an operator can use while standing on the floor, to drawers, the top of which are not above the eye level of the operator. ln the present invention, in which the indicia for the file subjects may be viewed from the side, and, in which the operator may remove the file elements by stiding them sideways from the supporting shelves, file elements above the eye level of the operator standing on the floor can be effectively reached and serviced. For example, it has been found that whereas 'the average file operator cannot eectively reach and avoasve operate filing cabinets having more than five drawers without the aid of a ladder or similar means, an operator can eiectively, while standing on the Hoor, inspect iile indicia and reach iile elements contained on eight tiers of shelves, each shelf being as much as inches high over all.

The banks of shelves may be placed closer together, leaving aisles between the shelves only wide enough for passageways. The depth of the ling apparatus of `this invention need be no greater than the length of the 7 elements to be filed therein, e. g. in the case of legal tiles a depth of or 16" is suicient. It has been estimated that a 60% saving in tiling room space can be achieved by utilizing equipment embodying my invention.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described herein the principles of this invention, together with the best mode of carrying out those principles. However, it will be understood that the structure disclosed is only illustrative and the ini vention may be carried out by other means. Also, while it is designed to use the various features and elements in the combination and relations described, some of these may be altered and modified in ways other than those suggested without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is 1. An apparatus for containing a plurality of papers or similar elements in an arrangement comprising a floor portion adapted to receive a group of said elements vertically disposed in a tile along the lateral dimension or' said floor portion, a iirst sheet member vertically and removably positioned on said oor portion transverse to the longitudinal dimension thereof, an inner surface on said first sheet member engageable with said group of elements, an overhanging surface spaced from said iloor portion and extending parallel to the longitudinal dimension thereof, a second member parallel to said first member and slidably mounted on said overhanging surface for sliding movement in a direction parallel to said lateral dimension of said iioor portion, a exible ribbon extending between said iirst and second members, one end of said ribbon mounted on said inner surface of said second member, the other end of said ribbon remote from said irst member being attached to said first member, said ribbon being disposed in a vertical plane and variably extendible from its attachment to the iirst sheet member across said plurality of elements to said second member whereby said elements may be supported between said members and may be removed progressively from the elements closest to said grst member to the elements closest to said second mem- 2. In apparatus as claimed in claim 1 said exible ribbon being adjustably attached to said second member so as to provide variation in the relative position between said rst and second members.

3. A device for handling le elements and for storing sectionalizing and moving said elements comprising z ioor portion adapted to receive said iile elements verti cally disposed in a iile position along the lateral ex` tension of said floor portion, a trackway disposed above said oor portion and parallel to said lateral extensior of said floor portion, at least one vertically disposerl divider element disposed above and spaced from saiC floor portion and slidably mounted on said trackway foi sliding movement in a direction parallel to said lateral extension of said oor portion, a guide pull element vertically and removably positioned on said ioor por tion in parallel and spaced relationship to said divider element, said guide pull and said divider element adapted to receive a sectionalized group of elements positioned therebetween with a first side of said group adjacent said guide pull and a second side of said group adjacent said divider element, a surface of said guide pull adapted to engage said first side of said sectionalized group and partially supporting said iile elements of said group, a surface on said divider element facing said second side of said tile elements, a exible ribbon extending between said surface of said guide pull and said surface of said divider element engageable with said tile elements of said group, an end of said ribbon being attached to said guide pull, a portion of said ribbon remote from said end being attached to said divider element, the width of said ribbon being disposed in a vertical plane and variably extendible from its attachment to the guide pull along the iirst side of said group of ile elements and behind said group of tile elements to extend along the second side of said group, a second portion of said ribbon and adjacent said divider adapted to abut said divider element and the second side of said group and supporting said group of elements by con tact with said surface of said divider element whereby said group of tile elements are supported in said vertically disposed position and may be removed from said file portion by pulling on said guide pull.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 269,346 Stoiel Dec. 19, 1882 272,260 Hubbard Feb. 13, 1883 626,429 Kearns June 6, 1899 1,069,294 Rose Aug. 5, 1913 1,349,272 Foss et al. Aug. 10, 1920 2,194,828 Greaves Mar. 26, 1940 2,513,866 Hedstrom July 4, 1950 2,554,620 Hurtel May 29, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 255,681 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1949 

